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Glaciar de Planalto
Glaciar de Planalto: walk in Madeira
Glaciar de Planalto is a 4.6 km out-and-back walk in Paul da Serra, signposted PR27, rated moderate. It climbs about 130 m in total and takes about 1.5 hours to walk.
A 4.6 km geological route across the Paul da Serra plateau from Bica da Cana, tracing the marks of the ice field that covered the plateau 25,000 years ago, a glacial valley, a cinder cone, moraine boulders and the Fajã Redondo cirque. Officially closed at the moment.
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About Glaciar de Planalto
Glaciar de Planalto sits in Paul da Serra and is a moderately demanding hike, good fitness helps but no technical skills required. Over its 4.6 km point-to-point route, Glaciar de Planalto climbs around 130 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 1 and 3 hours, depending on pace and how often they stop for photos.
It packs a lot of variety into a relatively short distance, which is why it stays busy through the season. The route is part of Madeira's signed network of official PR ("Pequena Rota") trails, catalogued as PR27. The PR sign at the trailhead is your reassurance, not a promise, weather on the central ridge can shift inside an hour.
What to know before you go
- Wear proper hiking shoes with grip, basalt gets slippery when damp, and most levada paths have a drop on one side.
- Pack two litres of water per person, there are no refill points on the route, and a light fleece for the ridge wind.
- A small head torch is useful in case the route enters any tunnel section.
- Mid-morning is fine, but earlier starts mean clearer views and emptier paths.
- Check the official 'Estado dos Trilhos' status before you go, trails close after storms or rockfalls.
- Official route sheet: 4.6 km, about 1h30, Bica da Cana → ER 105, maximum altitude 1,588 m and minimum 1,457 m. The plateau is undulating rather than steep, so the cumulative ascent is modest, our estimate from those altitudes, not an official figure.
- Current status: IFCN lists the PR27 as ENCERRADO (closed). The live badge above reflects this morning's check of the official table.
- What you are actually looking at: a shallow U-shaped glacial valley and sub-glacial erosion basin, the eroded top of the Fonte do Juncal basaltic cinder cone, the Miradouro das Rabaças over the head of the Ribeira da Ponta do Sol valley, and shepherds' corral ruins at Sítio das Pedras.
- Weather: at 1,500 m the Paul da Serra makes its own conditions, cloud, wind and near-zero visibility are common even when the coast is clear.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October combine long daylight, stable weather and lower trail traffic. Winter is fine for the lower levadas but unreliable on the high ridges.
Location
Paul da Serra, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.75750, -17.05330
Conditions log
Dated, first-person notes from people who recently walked Glaciar de Planalto.
No verified reports yet for this trail. We only publish entries we can stand behind, dated, first-person, and signed. If you've walked it in the last few weeks, use the form above and we'll add it here with credit.
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Frequently asked
How long does the Glaciar de Planalto hike take?
Most hikers complete Glaciar de Planalto in around 1.5 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 3 hours. The route is 4.6 km long with about 130 m of elevation gain.
Is Glaciar de Planalto suitable for beginners?
Glaciar de Planalto is rated moderate. Beginners with reasonable fitness can complete it, but expect uneven ground, some exposed sections and a few hours on your feet.
Do I need a guide for Glaciar de Planalto?
No, Glaciar de Planalto is a signed official trail and most fit hikers walk it independently. Local guides are widely available if you prefer transport, route certainty, or commentary on the landscape.
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